Sliding Nozzle Device and Pouring Device

ABSTRACT

A fixed plate ( 15 ) is provided in a fixed metal frame ( 14 ). An opening and closing metal frame ( 17 ) having a movable plate ( 21 ) is attached to the fixed metal frame ( 14 ) so as to be openable and closable. The fixed metal frame ( 14 ) is provided with a pressurizing mechanism ( 23 ) applying a pressure in a closing direction generated by a spring ( 25 ) to the opening and closing metal frame ( 17 ) in a closed state. An actuating member ( 29 ) is movably provided at a position facing the pressurizing mechanism ( 23 ). Cam surfaces ( 30   d,    32   a ) are provided between the actuating member ( 29 ) and the pressurizing mechanism ( 23 ). The spring ( 25 ) is deformed against an urging force thereof on the basis of operations of the cam surfaces ( 30   d,    32   a ) in accordance with a movement of the actuating member ( 29 ), and the pressure applied to the opening and closing metal frame ( 17 ) is strengthened.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a sliding nozzle apparatus attached to amolten metal container such as a ladle or the like, for example, used ina continuous casting line, and provided for controlling a pouring amountat a time of pouring a molten metal to a casting mold from the moltenmetal container, and a pouring apparatus provided with the slidingnozzle apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

This kind of sliding nozzle apparatus is provided with a fixed platefixed to a molten metal container such as a ladle or the like, and amovable plate facing the fixed plate. A fixed nozzle is provided on thefixed plate, and a movable nozzle is provided on the movable plate,respectively. Further, when the nozzle or the like is replaced ormaintained, the movable plate is rotated, and the movable plate and themovable nozzle are separated from the fixed plate and the fixed nozzle.Further, at a time of pouring, the movable plate and the movable nozzleare slid in a state of being brought into pressure contact with thefixed plate and the fixed nozzle, and an opening amount between thefixed nozzle and the movable nozzle is adjusted.

In this case, in an apparatus in Patent Document 1, the pressure contactof the movable plate with respect to the fixed plate is executed by atoggle mechanism, and the slide of the movable plate is executed by acylinder. Further, a switching of the toggle mechanism to an operativestate and an inoperative state is operated by a human power.Accordingly, the switching work of the toggle mechanism is forced to beexecuted as an agonizing work under a high-temperature environment.

In order to solve the problem, there has been proposed a sliding nozzleapparatus described in Patent Document 2. In the structure of the PatentDocument 2, the structure is made such that it is possible to achieveboth functions of a pressure contact of a movable plate with respect toa fixed plate and a cancellation thereof, and a slide of the movableplate, on the basis of a hydraulic cylinder.

In other words, in Patent Document 2, a switching mechanism is providedbetween an opening and closing metal frame and a fixed metal frame. Onthe basis of the switching mechanism, it is possible to switch to astate of inhibiting a relative movement of the opening and closing metalframe with respect to the fixed metal frame along a direction of arotating axis, and a state of allowing the relative movement.

Further, in a state in which the movement of the opening and closingmetal frame is inhibited on the basis of the switching of the switchingmechanism, the toggle mechanism in the switching mechanism is in anoperative state. When the hydraulic cylinder is actuated in this state,only a sliding metal frame within the opening and closing metal frame ismoved, whereby a nozzle hole is opened and closed, and a matching degreebetween the movable nozzle and the fixed nozzle is changed. On thecontrary, when the hydraulic cylinder is actuated in the state in whichthe relative movement of the opening and closing metal frame is allowed,the sliding metal frame and the opening and closing metal frame areintegrally moved. On the basis of this movement, the operation of thetoggle mechanism in the switching mechanism is cancelled, and a pressingmember separates from an engagement portion. Accordingly, the pressingof the opening and closing metal frame to the plate side by a coilspring is cancelled.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-212064Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-226430DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, the sliding apparatus described in Patent Document 2 isstructured such that in addition that the switching mechanism isarranged in a narrow space between the fixed metal frame and the openingand closing metal frame, the toggle mechanism having a complicatedstructure including the spring is provided inside of the switchingmechanism, and the member constituting the toggle mechanism operates acomplicated motion. Accordingly, the switching mechanism of the slidingapparatus described in Patent Document 2 lacks a reliability of themotion, and has not been put into practical use.

This invention is made by paying attention to a problem existing in theprior art mentioned above. An objective of this invention is to providea sliding nozzle apparatus and a pouring apparatus which can reliablyapply a pressing force to an opening and closing metal frame and cancelthe pressure application on the basis of a simple structure.

In order to achieve the objective mentioned above, in accordance with afirst aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slidingnozzle apparatus comprising: a fixed metal frame having a fixed plate inwhich a fixed nozzle hole is formed, and structured such as to beattached to a molten metal container; an opening and closing metal framehaving a movable plate in which a movable nozzle hole is formed so as tobe slidable in a state of being lapped over the fixed plate andcorrespond to the fixed nozzle hole, and being openable and closablewith respect to the fixed metal frame; a pressurizing means provided inthe fixed metal frame and applying a pressure in a closing direction bya spring to the opening and closing metal frame in a closed state; and apassage between both the nozzles being opened and closed by the movableplate being slid in the closed state of the opening and closing metalframe. An actuating member having a cam surface is provided between thepressurizing means and the opening and closing metal frame, the springis deformed against an urging force thereof on the basis of an operationof the cam surface in accordance with the actuation of the actuatingmember in the closed state of the opening and closing metal frame,whereby the pressurizing force is strengthened.

In this case, the spring is deformed against the urging force on thebasis of the operation of the cam surface in accordance with themovement of the actuating member, and the pressurizing force against theopening and closing metal frame is strengthened. Accordingly, the togglemechanism is not necessary, the structure is simple, and it is possibleto reliably apply the pressurizing force to the opening and closingmetal frame, and cancel the force application.

It is desirable that the pressurizing means be provided with a rotatingmember rotatably supported by the fixed metal frame, and a holdingmember supported by the rotating member so as to move forward andbackward and capable of moving between a position holding the openingand closing metal frame in accordance with the rotation of the rotatingmember and a position separated from the held position, and the springis provided between the rotating member and the holding member.

In this case, the holding member is moved from the position holding theopening and closing metal frame to the position separated therefrom, byrotating the rotating member in the state in which the pressurizingforce applied to the opening and closing metal frame is weakened,whereby it is possible to easily disconnect the opening and closingmetal frame from the fixed metal frame.

It is desirable that the actuating member be arranged between theopening and closing metal frame and the holding member, the actuatingmember be exposed to the reaction force of the spring by deforming thespring against its elasticity on the basis of an operation of the cam,and the reaction force be applied as a force in a direction of closingthe opening and closing metal frame.

In this case, it is possible to reliably hold the opening and closingmetal frame to the closed position via the actuating member, byutilizing the reaction force in accordance with the elastic deformationof the spring.

It is desirable that the actuating member be constituted by a movingmember arranged so as to be movable in the same direction as the forwardand backward moving direction of the holding member between the openingand closing metal frame and the holding member, and a cam memberarranged between the moving member and the opening and closing metalframe and pressing the opening and closing metal frame in the closingdirection on the basis of the reaction force of the spring generated bymoving the moving member in the direction against the elasticity of thespring due to the operation of the cam surface.

In this case, since the actuating member is constituted by two partscomprising the moving member and the cam member, the structure of theactuating member is simple, and it is possible to reliably regulate thepressurizing force applied to the opening and closing metal frame viathe cam member on the basis of the movement of the moving memberconstituting the actuating member.

It is desirable that the apparatus be provided with a switching meansfor switching the cam member to a state in which the cam member isarranged at a position pressurizing the opening and closing metal frameon the basis of the cam operation and a position canceling thepressurization, by being integrally moved with the movable plate, and astate in which the cam member is fixed to the opening and closing metalframe in the pressurized position.

In this case, it is possible to easily selectively set and execute acontrol of regulating the pressurizing force applied to the opening andclosing metal frame and a control of opening and closing the passagebetween the nozzle holes, by switching the cam member to the state ofbeing moved integrally with the movable plate and the state of beingfixed to the opening and closing metal frame.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a pouring apparatus provided with the sliding nozzle apparatusmentioned above and a drive apparatus for sliding the movable plate.

In this case, it is possible to regulate the pressurizing force appliedto the opening and closing metal frame, and open and close the passagebetween the nozzle holes, by one drive apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1( a) is a simplified view schematically showing a main portion ofan embodiment;

FIG. 1( b) is a cross sectional view showing a pressurizing state;

FIG. 1( c) is a cross sectional view showing a pressurization canceledstate;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view showing a pouring apparatus providedwith a sliding nozzle apparatus in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view showing a mechanism moved by ahydraulic cylinder, a cam member and a relevant mechanism thereto;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the pouring apparatus in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view mainly showing apressurizing mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the pouring apparatus in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a mechanism slid together witha sliding metal frame by a hydraulic cylinder;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 8-8 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view mainly showing the cam member and therelevant mechanism thereto;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 10-10 in FIG. 2;and

FIG. 11 is a partly cross sectional view showing a part of FIG. 6 in anenlarged manner in correspondence to FIG. 10.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A description will be given below of an embodiment in accordance withthis invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Entire Outline Structure)

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 6 and 10, a sliding nozzle apparatus 12 isinstalled on an outer surface of a molten metal container 11 such as aladle or the like. A hydraulic cylinder 13 serving as a drive apparatusis arranged at a position away from the sliding nozzle apparatus 12, anda pouring apparatus in accordance with this embodiment is structured bythe hydraulic cylinder 13 and the sliding nozzle apparatus 12. A nozzleportion of the sliding nozzle apparatus 12 is opened and closed by thehydraulic cylinder 13, and a pouring amount is adjusted thereby. Inother words, as is apparent from FIG. 10, a molten metal within themolten metal container 11 is poured to a casting mold or the like viathe sliding nozzle apparatus 12, in a state in which the sliding nozzleapparatus 12 is arranged downward.

(Outline of Main Portion of Embodiment)

A description will be given below of a structure of the sliding nozzleapparatus 12. First, FIG. 1( a) is a schematic view showing a motion ofthe embodiment, and FIGS. 1( b) and 1(c) are simplified cross sectionalviews of the same. As shown in FIGS. 1( a) to 1(c), guide members 31 areprovided on an opening and closing metal frame 17 which can be openedand closed with respect to a fixed metal frame 14, and a pressed surface31 a is formed in each guide member 31. Further, a cam member 32 isarranged in correspondence to the pressed surfaces 31 a. A spring forceof a coil spring 25 of a pressurizing mechanism 23 constitutingpressurizing means is applied to the cam surface 32 a of each cam member32 via a moving member 30 and a holding member 27.

Further, in a state in which a fixing pin 43 is inserted to anengagement hole 32 b of each cam member 32, and the cam member 32 isheld at an upper position in FIG. 1( b)(b), a compression force isapplied to the coil spring 25 via the moving member 30 and the holdingmember 27, on the basis of an operation of a cam surface 32 a of the cammember 32 and a cam surface 30 d of the moving member 30, and acompression reaction force thereto is applied to the opening and closingmetal frame 17 via the cam member 32 and the dressed surfaces 31 a ofthe guide members 31. Accordingly, the opening and closing metal frame17 is pressure contacted with the fixed metal frame 14 under a desiredpressurizing force. Further, in the case that each fixing pin 43separates from the engagement hole 32 b, and each cam member 32 ispinched by a switching member 40 and an engagement projection 37 a fromboth upper and lower ends of the cam member 32, and is moved downward inaccordance with a downward movement of the switching member 40 and theengagement projection 37 a, as shown in FIG. 1( c), the operation of thecam surfaces 32 a and 30 d is cancelled, and the pressure contact stateof the opening and closing metal frame 17 with respect to the fixedmetal frames 14 is cancelled.

(Fixed Metal Frame 14, Opening and Closing Metal Frame 17 and RelevantStructure Thereto)

Next, a description will be given in detail of a structure of thesliding nozzle apparatus 12. First, a description will be given of thefixed metal frame 14, the opening and closing metal frame 17 and therelevant structure thereto. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6, the fixedmetal frame 14 is attached and fixed to an outer surface of the moltenmetal container 11, and a pair of mounting portions 14 a havinginsertion holes 14 b are provided in each of both side portions in aprotruding manner. As shown in FIG. 10, a fixed plate 15 is detachablymounted to a center portion of the fixed metal frame 14, and a fixednozzle hole 15 a is formed in a center thereof. An inner nozzle tube 16is attached to an inner surface of the fixed plate 15 as occasiondemands, and the inner nozzle tube 16 is structured such as to protrudeto an inner portion of the molten metal container 11.

The opening and closing metal frame 17 is attached to an outer surfaceof the fixed metal frame 14 in such a manner as to be openable andclosable. In other words, a pair of support portions 17 a havinginsertion holes 17 b are provided in each of both sides of the openingand closing metal frame 17 in a protruding manner so as to correspond tothe respective mounting portions 14 a of the fixed metal frame 14.Further, the opening and closing metal frame 17 is attached in such amanner as to be openable and closable and rotatable around a support pin18 between a closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. 6 and oneside open position shown by a two-dot chain line, by inserting thesupport pin 18 to the insertion holes 17 b and 14 b of the supportportion 17 a and the mounting portion 14 a, in one side of both themetal frames 14, and 17.

In this case, if the support pin 18 is inserted to the insertion holes17 b and 14 b of the support portion 17 a and the mounting portion 14 apositioned in the other side of both the metal frames 14 and 17 asoccasion demands, it is possible to open and close and rotate theopening and closing metal frame 17 between the closed position and theopen position on the other side.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 9, a sliding metal frame 19 is arrangedwithin the opening and closing metal frame 17 in such a manner as to beslidable in a vertical direction in FIG. 2, and a piston rod 13 a of thehydraulic cylinder 13 is coupled to an end portion thereof via acoupling metal fitting 20. A movable plate 21 is detachably mounted to acenter portion of the sliding metal frame 19, and a movable nozzle hole21 a corresponding to the fixed nozzle hole 15 a is formed in a centerthereof. An outer nozzle tube 22 is attached to an outer surface of themovable plate 21 as occasion demands, and protrudes to an outer side ofthe opening and closing metal frame 17.

Further, in a state in which the opening and closing metal frame 17 isarranged at the closed position, the movable plate 21 is arranged so asto be lapped over the fixed plate 15. In this state, the movable plate21 is slid in a vertical direction in FIGS. 2 and 9 by the hydrauliccylinder 13 together with the sliding metal frame 19, whereby a matchingdegree of the nozzle holes 15 a and 21 a of both the plates 15 and 21 ischanged, so that the passage between the nozzle holes 15 a and 21 a isopened and closed, and an opening amount of the passage is adjusted.

(Pressurizing Mechanism 23 and Relevant Structure Thereto)

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, 8, 10 and 11, a pressurizing mechanism 23 isarranged as a pressurizing means between a pair of mounting portions 14a in each of both sides of the fixed metal frame 14. Further, thestructure is made such that a pressure in a closing direction is appliedto the opening and closing metal frame 17 by the pressurizing mechanism23, in a state in which the opening and closing metal frame 17 isarranged at the closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. 6.

In other words, between the mounting portions 14 a in both sides of thefixed metal frame 14, an approximately box-like rotating member 24constituting a pair of spring cases are rotatably supported by supportshaft portions 24 a. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality ofaccommodating portions 24 b are sectioned and formed in an inner portionof the rotating member 24, and a plurality of coil springs 25 arearranged so as to be accommodated within the accommodating portions 24b. A lid body 26 is fitted to an opening portion of the rotating member24 so as to be movable in an axial direction of the coil spring 25, andan end portion of each of the coil springs 25 is brought into contactwith an inner surface of the lid body 26.

A holding member 27 having a holding portion 27 a and a pair of rodportions 27 b is inserted into and supported by each of the rotatingmember 24 and the lid body 26 at the rod portions 27 b so as to bemovable forward and backward in an axial direction of the coil spring25. A nut 28 is screwed with a leading end thread portion of each of therod portions 27 b of the holding member 27, and is joined to an outersurface of the lid body 26. Accordingly, an urging force of each of thecoil springs 25 is always applied in a direction in which the holdingmember 27 moves close to the rotating member 24 with respect to theholding member 27, via the lid body 26 and the nut 28. Further, as shownin FIGS. 10 and 11, since the rotating member 24 is rotated around thesupport shaft portion 24 a, the holding member 27 is arranged so as tobe moved to a position holding the opening and closing metal frame 17via an actuating member 29 mentioned below, and a position separatedfrom the held position.

(Cam Member and Relevant Structure Thereto)

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 10, a pair of actuating members 29 arearranged in both sides of the opening and closing metal frame 17 incorrespondence to each of the pressurizing mechanisms 23. Further, inthe closed state of the opening and closing metal frame 17, theactuating member 29 is moved to a lower side in FIG. 2 on the basis ofoperations of cam surfaces 30 d and 32 a mentioned below providedbetween the actuating member 29 and the pressurizing mechanism 23, thecoil spring 25 of the pressurizing mechanism 23 is deformed against theurging force thereof, and the pressure applied to the opening andclosing metal frame 17 is strengthened.

In other words, each actuating member 29 is constituted by a movingmember 30 arranged in one side the opening and closing metal frame 17 soas to be movable in the same direction as the moving direction of theholding member 27 of the pressurizing mechanism 23 via a pair of guidemembers 31, and a cam member 32 arranged between the moving member 30and the opening and closing metal frame 17 so as to be movable in anorthogonal direction to the moving direction of the moving member 30. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the cam member 32 is received by pressedsurfaces 31 a formed in one side surface of the guide members 31. A longhole 30 a is formed in an inner surface of each moving member 30, and ahead portion of a regulating screw 33 provided in a protruding manner ina side surface of the opening and closing metal frame 17 is engaged withthe long hole 30 a, whereby a moving range of the moving member 30 isset. An engagement projection 30 b is provided in a protruding manner inan outer side of the moving member 30, and the holding portion 27 a ofthe holding member 27 corresponds to the engagement projection 30 b soas to be engaged in a state in which the holding member 27 of thepressurizing mechanism 23 is arranged at the held position.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a concave groove 30 c is formed in an innersurface of each moving member 30 in such a manner as to extend in anorthogonal direction to the moving direction of the moving member 30,that is, in the same direction as the sliding direction of the slidingmetal frame 19, and a slope cam surface 30 d is formed in one side innersurface of the concave groove 30 c. Further, the cam member 32 ismovably arranged so as to be inserted to the concave groove 30 c of themoving member 30, and a slope cam surface 32 a slidably engaging withthe slope cam surface 30 d of the concave groove 30 c is formed in oneside outer surface of the cam member 32.

Further, when the cam member 32 is moved from a position shown by atwo-dot chain line in FIG. 8 to position shown by a solid line, themoving member 30 is moved in a direction (a rightward direction in FIG.8 and a downward direction in FIG. 7) against an elasticity of the coilspring 25 of the pressurizing mechanism 23, on the basis of operationsof the slope cam surfaces 32 a and 30 d mentioned above. Accordingly, asshown in FIGS. 1( a) to 1(c), the coil spring 25 of the rotating member24 is compression deformed via the holding member 27 against the urgingforce of the coil spring 25, and the reaction force of the coil spring25 is applied as a force in the closing direction to the opening andclosing metal frame 17 via the moving member 30 and the cam member 32.

On the contrary, when the cam member 32 is moved from the position shownby the solid line to the position shown by the two-dot chain line inFIG. 8, the moving member 30 is moved in the urging direction of thecoil spring 25 as is inverse to the case mentioned above, on the basisof the operations of the slope cam surfaces 32 a and 30 d. Accordingly,the engagement projection 30 b of the moving member 30 is moved awayfrom the holding portion 27 a of the holding member 27 in thepressurizing mechanism 23, and the pressure in the closing directionapplied to the opening and closing metal frame 17 is canceled.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a regulating member 34 is rotatablysupported by the outer side surface of each of the moving members 30 viaa support shaft 35, in correspondence to the holding portion 27 a of theholding member 27 in the pressurizing mechanism 23, and an engagementhole 34 a is formed in a leading end thereof. An engagement pin 36 isprovided in a protruding manner in an outer surface of the moving member30, and is engaged with the engagement hole 34 a of the regulatingmember 34. Further, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 5, in a state inwhich the regulating member 34 is arranged at a regulated positioncorresponding to the holding portion 27 a of the holding member 27 onthe basis of an engagement between one end portion of the engagementhole 34 a and the engagement pin 36, a rotating operation from the heldposition of the holding member 27 with respect to the opening andclosing metal frame 17 shown in FIG. 10, to the away position shown inFIG. 11 is regulated. Further, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.5, in the case that the regulating member 34 is arranged at an allowedposition where the regulating member 34 is away from the holding portion27 a of the holding member 27 on the basis of the engagement between theother end portion of the engagement hole 34 a and the engagement pin 36,the rotating operation of the holding member 27 from the held positionwith respect to the opening and closing metal frame 17 shown in FIG. 10to the away position shown in FIG. 11 is allowed.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7 and 9, an interlocking frame 37 is coupled toan outer surface of the sliding metal frame 19 so as to be integrallyformed with the sliding metal frame 19 via a coupling tube 38, in such amanner as to be positioned between both the cam members 32 in an outerside of the opening and closing metal frame 17. Accordingly, theinterlocking frame 37 slides together with the sliding metal frame 19. Aswitching mechanism 39 is provided as a switching means between theinterlocking frame 37 and both the cam members 32. Further, both the cammembers 32 are switched by the switching mechanism 39 to a state inwhich both the cam members 32 are fixed to the interlocking frame 37 soas to be slid in a vertical direction in FIG. 2 integrally with theinterlocking frame 37 and the sliding metal frame 19, and a state inwhich both the cam members 32 are fixed to the opening and closing metalframe 17 regardless of the slide of the interlocking frame 37 and thesliding metal frame 19. In this case, a long hole 17 c for passing thecoupling tube 38 therethrough is pierced in a center portion of theopening and closing metal frame 17.

In other words, a pair of engagement projections 37 a capable ofsupporting lower ends of both the cam members 32 are formed in bothsides of a lower end of the interlocking frame 37. A switching member 40is attached to each side of an upper end of the interlocking frame 37 soas to be rotatable between two positions via a rotating shaft 41, and iselastically held to two positions by a plunger 42. Further, as shown inFIGS. 1( c), 2 to 4, when the switching member 40 is switched androtated to an engaged position protruding to an upper side of both thecam members 32, both the cam members 32 are supported in a pinched statebetween the engagement projection 37 a of the interlocking frame 37 andthe switching member 40. In this state, the sliding metal frame 19 isslid by the hydraulic cylinder 13, whereby both the cam members 32 areslid between the solid line position and the two-dot chain line positionin FIG. 1( c) integrally with the sliding metal frame 19 and theinterlocking frame 37, and the pressure is applied to the opening andclosing metal frame 17 by the pressurizing mechanism 23 and the pressureapplication is cancelled. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 1( b), whenthe switching member 40 is switched and rotated to a retracted positionretracted from the upper side of both the cam members 32, only thesliding metal frame 19 is slid to a lower side in FIG. 1( b) regardlessof the cam member 32, and the matching degree between the nozzle hole 15a of the fixed plate 15 and the nozzle hole 21 a of the movable plate 21is changed.

An engagement hole 32 b is formed in the upper end of each cam member32. In order to correspond to the engagement hole 32 b in a freelyengaging and disengaging manner, a pair of fixing pins 43 are arrangedin the support portions 17 a in each side of the opening and closingmetal frame 17 so as to rise and set, and is elastically held at aprotruding position and an insertion position by the fixing plunger 44.Further, as shown in FIGS. 1( b) and 2, when the fixing pin 43 movesforward into the engagement hole 32 b of the cam member 32 so as to beprotruded to the position engaging with the engagement hole 32 b, boththe same members 32 are fixed to the opening and closing metal frame 17so as not to slide, and are held in this state. Accordingly, the cammembers 32 are moved in the vertical direction in FIG. 1( b) togetherwith the opening and closing metal frame 17. On the contrary, when thefixing pins 43 are inserted to the positions separated from theengagement holes 32 b of the cam members 32, both the cam members 32 areallowed to be moved in the vertical direction in FIG. 1( b) with respectto the opening and closing metal frame 17.

In this case, in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b), a lower end of a back surface ofeach cam member 32 brought into contact with the pressed surfaces 31 aof the guide members 31, and both upper and lower ends of the pressedsurfaces 31 a are formed in a circular arc shape in such a manner as torelax a stress concentration at a time of bringing the cam members 32into pressure contact with the guide members 31.

(Operation of Embodiment)

Next, a description will be given of an operation of the sliding nozzleapparatus 12 structured as mentioned above.

At a time of a normal use of the sliding nozzle apparatus 12, theopening and closing metal frame 17 is arranged at the closed positionwith respect to the fixed metal frame 14, and the holding members 27 ofthe pressurizing mechanisms 23 are rotated and arranged at the heldposition with respect to the opening and closing metal frame 17, asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this state, as shown by a two-dot chain linein FIG. 4, the sliding metal frame 19 is moved to a lower side in FIG.4, and the passage between the nozzle holes 15 a and 21 a of both theplates 15 and 21 is closed. Further, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 8,the cam members 32 are moved to one end (an upper end in FIG. 8) in amoving range, and the fixing pins 43 are engaged with the engagementholes 32 b, thereby being fixed to the opening and closing metal frame17.

Further, as shown by a solid line in FIGS. 1( b) and 2, the switchingmembers 40 are switched and rotated to a retracted position retractedfrom the upper side of the cam members 32. Further, as shown by a solidline in FIGS. 4 and 5, the regulating members 34 are rotated andarranged at a regulation position corresponding to the holding portions27 a of the holding members 27, and a rotating operation of the holdingmembers 27 from the held position to the away position is regulated.Accordingly, as is apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the coil springs 25 ofthe pressurizing mechanisms 23 are compression deformed on the basis ofthe operation of the cam surfaces 32 a and 30 d of the cam members 32and the moving members 30 in this state, the reaction force is appliedto the opening and closing metal frame 17 via the moving members 30, thecam members 32 and the guide members 31, and the opening and closingmetal frame 17 is pressurized and held at the closed position.

In this state, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is retracted in a state inwhich the sliding nozzle apparatus 12 is arranged downward so as to facethe casting mold or the like, as shown in FIG. 7, the movable plate 21is slid to the upper side in FIG. 2 together with the sliding metalframe 19, and the matching degree between the nozzle hole 15 a of thefixed plate 15 and the nozzle hole 21 a of the movable plate 21 ischanged. Accordingly, the passage between the nozzle holes 15 a and 21 ais opened at an opening amount in correspondence to the moving amount ofthe movable plate 21, and the molten metal within the molten metalcontainer 11 is poured into the casting mold or the like via thepassage. Thereafter, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated so as toprotrude, the movable plate 21 is slid to the lower position from theposition in FIG. 2 together with the sliding metal frame 19, as isinverse to the case mentioned above, so that the passage between thenozzle holes 15 a and 21 a of both the plates 15 and 21 is closed. Inthis connection, FIG. 7 shows parts slid together with the sliding metalframe 19 by a solid line. The pouring of the molten metal from the innerside of the molten metal container 11 is stopped by the closure of thepassage. Further, in this case, since the cam members 32 are held on theopening and closing metal frame 17 by the fixing pins 43, the cammembers 32 are held at a fixed position without moving.

Next, a description will be given of an operation in the case ofcleaning the molten metal attached to the nozzle holes 15 a and 21 a ofthe fixed plate 15 and the movable plate 21 or replacing the plates 15and 21, by opening the opening and closing metal frame 17. In this case,as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, if the nozzle is arranged horizontally byraising the sliding nozzle apparatus 12, and the hydraulic cylinder 13is retracted, the movable plate 21 is slid together with the slidingmetal frame 19, and the passage between the nozzle holes 15 a and 21 aof both the plates 15 and 21 comes to a full-open state as shown inFIGS. 7, 10 and 11.

In this state, the fixing pins 43 are separated from the engagementholes 32 b of the cam members 32 by the worker, and the cam members 32are canceled from the fixed state with respect to the opening andclosing metal frame 17. Subsequently, as shown by the two-dot chain linein FIGS. 1( c) and 2, the switching members 40 are switched and rotatedto the engaged positions in the upper side of the cam members 32, andthe cam members 32 come to a state in which each cam member 32 ispinched between the engagement projections 37 a of the interlockingframe 37 and the switching member 40.

Thereafter, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated so as to protrude,the sliding metal frame 19 is slid to the lower side in FIGS. 2 and 4,and the cam members 32 are integrally slid to a position shown by achain line from a position shown by a solid line in FIG. 8 via theinterlocking frame 37. Accordingly, each moving member 30 is moved inthe urging direction of the coil spring of the pressurizing mechanism 23in accordance with the operation of the slope cam surfaces 32 a and 30d, and the pressure of the coil spring 25 applied to the opening andclosing metal frame 17 is cancelled.

Next, if each regulating member 34 is rotated to an allowing positionshown by a chain line from a regulating position shown by a solid linein FIG. 5, an outer side of the holding portion 27 a of the holdingmember 27 arranged at a held position shown by a chain line in FIG. 11is released, and the rotation of the holding member 27 to the outer sideis allowed. In this state, the opening and closing metal frame 17 isreleased from the fixed metal frame 14 as shown by a chain line in FIG.6, after rotating the holding member 27 to the away position in theouter side from the held position corresponding to the engagementprojection 30 b of the actuating member 29 by rotating the rotatingmember 24, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 11. Accordingly, the movableplate 21 is released from the lapped state over the fixed plate 15, andit is possible to easily clean or replace both the plates 15 and 21 inthis state.

Further, after cleaning and replacing the plates 15 and 21, the slidingnozzle apparatus 12 is returned to the original state by operating inthe inverse order to the case mentioned above. In other words, therotating members 24 of the pressurizing mechanisms 23 are rotated to aposition in FIG. 10, after rotating the opening and closing metal frame17 to a closed position shown by a solid line from an open positionshown by a chain line in FIG. 6. In this state, if the regulatingmembers 34 are rotated to the regulating position shown by the solidline from the allowing position shown by the chain line in FIGS. 4 and5, the rotation to the outer side from the held position of the holdingmember 27 is regulated (inhibited).

Thereafter, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated so as to retract,the sliding metal frame 19 is slid to the upper side in FIG. 2 from theposition in FIG. 2, and the cam members 32 are integrally slid to theposition shown by the solid line from the position shown by the chainline in FIG. 8 via the engagement projections 37 a of the interlockingframes 37 and the switching members 40. Accordingly, the moving members30 are moved to the lower side in FIG. 10 in accordance with theoperation of the slope cam surfaces 32 a and 30 d, and the coil springs25 of the rotating members 24 is compression deformed against the urgingforce. Further, the reaction force of the coil springs 25 is applied asthe force in the closing direction to the opening and closing metalframe 17 via the moving members 30, the cam members 32 and the guidemembers 31, and the opening and closing metal frame 17 is held at theclosed position.

Subsequently, if the switching members 40 are switched and rotated tothe retracting position shown by the solid line from the engagingposition shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the cam members 32are canceled from a link state with respect to the interlocking frames37 so as to come to a free state. Further, the fixing pins 43 areengaged with the engagement holes 32 b of the cam members 32, and thecam members 32 are fixed to the opening and closing metal frame 17.

Thereafter, if the hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated so as to protrude,the movable plate 21 is slid to the lower side from the position in FIG.2 together with the sliding metal frame 19, and the passage between thenozzle holes 15 a and 21 a of both the plates 15 and 21 comes to theclosed state. It is possible to pour the molten metal within the moltenmetal container 11 to the casing mold or the like by suitably openingthe passage between the nozzle holes 15 a and 21 a by the hydrauliccylinder 13 as mentioned above, under this state.

As mentioned above, in this embodiment, in the state in which the cammembers 32 are each arranged at the position shown by the solid line inFIG. 8, the pressure in the closing direction is applied to the openingand closing metal frame 17 by the pressurizing mechanisms 23, and theportion between the fixed nozzle hole 15 a and the movable nozzle hole21 a is opened and closed or the opening degree is adjusted, on thebasis of the driving of the hydraulic cylinder 13 under this state.Further, in the state in which the cam members 32 are each arranged atthe position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8, the pressureapplied to the opening and closing metal frame 17 by the pressurizingmechanisms 23 is cancelled, and it is possible to open and close theopening and closing metal frame 17. Accordingly, in this embodiment, itis possible to adjust the opening degree of the nozzle mentioned above,and apply the pressure to the opening and closing metal frame 17 andcancel the pressure application, on the basis of the simple structure inwhich the cam members 32 and the moving members 30 operating as the camfollower are provided between the opening and closing metal frame 17,and the holding members 27 for holding the opening and closing metalframe 17 in the closed state. In other words, it is possible to executeboth of the adjustment of the opening degree of the nozzle, and theapplication of the pressure to the opening and closing metal frame 17and cancellation of the pressure application, by one simple mechanism asmentioned above, and the structure becomes simple.

MODIFIED EXAMPLES

In this case, the embodiment can be embodied by being changed asfollows.

The structure may be made such that the moving members 30 are omitted,the cam members 32 are directly brought into contact with the holdingmembers 27 of the pressurizing mechanisms 23, and the holding members 27are moved against the spring force of the coil springs 25 on the basisof the cam operation.

The structure may be made such that the sliding metal frame 19 and theinterlocking frame 37 are integrated, and the sliding metal frame 19 isprovided with a means such as the engagement projection 37 a or the likefor supporting the cam member 32.

The structure may be made such that the cam surfaces 30 d and 32 a areprovided in any one of the moving member 30 and the cam member 32.

1. A sliding nozzle apparatus comprising: a fixed metal frame having afixed plate in which a fixed nozzle hole is formed, and structured suchas to be attached to a molten metal container; an opening and closingmetal frame having a movable plate in which a movable nozzle hole isformed so as to be slidable in a state of being lapped over said fixedplate and correspond to said fixed nozzle hole, and being openable andclosable with respect to the fixed metal frame; and a pressurizing meansprovided in said fixed metal frame and applying a pressure in a closingdirection by a spring to the opening and closing metal frame in a closedstate, wherein a passage between both nozzles is opened and closed bythe movable plate being slid in the closed state of the opening andclosing metal frame, the sliding nozzle apparatus further comprising: anactuating member having a cam surface is provided between thepressurizing means and the opening and closing metal frame, the springis deformed against an urging force thereof on the basis of an operationof the cam surface in accordance with the actuation of the actuatingmember in the closed state of the opening and closing metal frame,whereby the pressurizing force is strengthened.
 2. A sliding nozzleapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing means isprovided with a rotating member rotatably supported by the fixed metalframe, and a holding member supported by the rotating member so as tomove forward and backward and capable of moving between a positionholding the opening and closing metal frame in accordance with therotation of the rotating member and a position separated from the heldposition, and said spring is provided between the rotating member andthe holding member.
 3. A sliding nozzle apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said actuating member is arranged between said opening andclosing metal frame and the holding member, the actuating member isexposed to the reaction force of the spring by deforming said springagainst its elasticity on the basis of an operation of the cam, and thereaction force is applied as a force in a direction of closing theopening and closing metal frame.
 4. A sliding nozzle apparatus accordingto claim 3, wherein said actuating member is constituted by a movingmember arranged so as to be movable in the same direction as the forwardand backward moving direction of the holding member between said openingand closing metal frame and the holding member, and a cam memberarranged between the moving member and the opening and closing metalframe and pressing the opening and closing metal frame in the closingdirection on the basis of the reaction force of the spring generated bymoving the moving member in the direction against the elasticity of thespring due to the operation of the cam surface.
 5. A sliding nozzleapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus is provided with aswitching means for switching the cam member to a state in which saidcam member is arranged at a position pressurizing the opening andclosing metal frame on the basis of the cam operation and a positioncanceling the pressurization, by being integrally moved with saidmovable plate, and a state in which the cam member is fixed to theopening and closing metal frame in said pressurized position. 6.(canceled)
 7. A pouring apparatus comprising: a fixed metal frame havinga fixed plate in which a fixed nozzle hole is formed, and structuredsuch as to be attached to a molten metal container; an opening andclosing metal frame having a movable plate in which a movable nozzlehole is formed so as to be slidable in a state of being lapped over saidfixed plate and correspond to said fixed nozzle hole, and being openableand closable with respect to the fixed metal frame; a pressurizing meansprovided in said fixed metal frame and applying a pressure in a closingdirection by a spring to the opening and closing metal frame in a closedstate, wherein a passage between both nozzles is opened and closed bythe movable plate being slid in the closed state of the opening andclosing metal frame, the sliding nozzle apparatus; an actuating memberhaving a cam surface is provided between the pressurizing means and theopening and closing metal frame, the spring is deformed against anurging force thereof on the basis of an operation of the cam surface inaccordance with the actuation of the actuating member in the closedstate of the opening and closing metal frame, whereby the pressurizingforce is strengthened; and a drive apparatus for sliding said movableplate.